Vapor-heating system.



R. MARTIN.

VAPOR HEATING SYSTEMfI APPLICATION man ram/1.1916.

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' VRICHARD MARTIN, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

VAPOR-HEATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Application filed May 1, 1916. Serial No. 94,625.

To all whom t may concern.' y

Be it known that I, RIGHARDVMARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vapor- I-Ieating Systems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to steam heating systems and more particularly to that type of .low pressure steam heating systems generally designated as vapor systems.

In heating systems of this character, it is desirable, under ordinary running conditions that means be provided for rapidly letting out all air which may accumulate in the system. In vapor systems, it is also desirable that a partial vacuum be produced in the `circulating connections between fthe radiators andy boiler whenever the lire in the boiler burns low and the water in the boiler drops below a predetermined low temperature. This partial vacuum assists in maintaining circulation of the very low pressure vapor (to-wit, vapor below atmospheric pressure) from the boiler to the radiators when the lire is very low. Furthermore, the act of closing the air vent from the return pipe of the circulating system prevents air from iiowing into the same when the lire is low.

Frequently, in vapor systems, or low pressure steam heating systems, either by accident or by design, a considerable steam pressure will be carried into the system; and at such time, it is, of course, necessary that the circulating system be closed from the atmosphere, so as to prevent the escape of steam and water.

Hence, my invention provides, in one or Y more of the .return pipes of the heating system, lan air vent, and provides an automatic valve'meohanism which will close this air vent under two very different conditions, to-wit, whenever the pressure in the boiler is exceedingly low, or below a predetermined point, and also when the pressure of the boiler is high,`,or above a predetermined point. Furthermore, thisvalve mechanism is adjustable, so that it will operate under variable or different predetermined relatively low and relatively high pressures.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing a boiler, a single radiator and the circulating connections between the boiler and radiator, together with my improved valve mechanism or controller applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the complete valve and valve controller;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the valve mechanism showing the same on a larger scale than in Fig. 2; and

Fig. t is a detail in section on the line x4 m4 of Fig. 3.

The numeral 1 indicates the boiler and the numeral 2 the radiator or one of the radiators of the heating system. The numeral 3vindicates a vapor supply pipe leading from the top of the boiler to the upper portion of the radiator 2, and the numeral 4; indicates a return pipe leading from the lower portion of the radiator 2, back to the lower portion of the boiler. From the lower' portion of the return pipe a, the pipe 5 is extended upward and connected to the bottom of a float chamber 6, the intermediate portion of which is horizontally alined with the water line 'y-y of the boiler` The upper end of this chamber 6 is connected to the lower end of a tubular valve casing 7 that is provided with a hori- Zontal axially perforated partition 8, formed to afford a conical seat for a valve 9. This valve 9 has screw-threaded engagement with, andis adjustable on the threaded end of a vertical valve stem 10, which, at its lower end, is equipped with a float 11 that rides on the surface of the water contained in the lower portion of the float chamber 6. They upper portion ofthe valve casing 7 also has a conical valve seat 12 that is adapted to be engaged by a valve 13 which also has threaded engagement with the valve stem 10. The two valves 9 and 13 are preferably substantially alike, but are reversed. Furthermore, the valve 9 is provided with a small air passage vvlhfor a purpose which will presently appear. An air passage 15 is also formed in the upper end neck of the valve casing 7, so that the upper portion of said casing is normally in communication wth the atmosphere, as shown, through a vent pipe 16 which may lead to any suitable point of discharge.

The intermediate portion of the return pipe, il, at a point above the water level of the boiler and of the float chamber 6, is connected to a vent pipe 17, which, in turn, is connected to a port 18 formed in the valve seat 8. In Figs. 1 and 3, two such pipes 17 and two ports 18 are shown, but it will be understood that the said pipes 17 are extended from the return connections to different radiators and that any desired number thereof may be employed, depending on the nature of the system in which the invention is incorporated.

Operation.

The operation ofithe device described is substantially as follows:

First assume that the valve 9 is set on the stem 10 and in respect to the ioat 11, so that the said valve will be closed whenever the pressure in the boiler falls below one-eighth of an ounce per square inch, :tor example. Then, if the pressure in the boiler falls still lower than one-eighth of an ounce, a partial vacuum will be produced in the return pipe and in the radiator. Then, when the fire is increased so as to again raise the pressure in the boiler, the said partial vacuum will be maintained until the assumed pressure of one-eighth of an ounce is again produced in the said boiler and in the radiator, and this partial vacuum insures circulation of low pressure vapor at points below one-eighth of an ounce and even at points below atmospheric pressure.

Then when the pressure in the boiler and radiator is increased somewhat above oneeighth of an ounce, such pressure will cause the water in the float chamber 7 to rise, thereby raising the float 11 and causing the same to raise and unseat the valve 9, thereby opening the return pipe from the radiator to the atmosphere, through the port 18,the upper portion of the valve casing 7 and the air vent 15. This will let out any air that may possibly, and usually will, from time to time, work its way intothe heating system.

In dierent installations, the pressure in the boiler at which the steam would commence to waste through the return pipe and the port controlled by valve 9, will vary, but for the purpose of illustration, we will assume such boiler pressure to be approximatelyl one-half pound. In that event, the valve 13 should be so adjusted on the stem 10 and in respect to the float 11, that it will close against the seat 12,' and hence, close the vent 15, whenever the water in the float chamber 6 is raised to an extent that it will be raised when the boiler pressure is increased to one-half pound. This closing of the valve 13, as is evident, cuts off all connection between the return pipe and the atmosphere and renders the system a closed circulating system which can operate under any desired high pressure.

The purpose of the air passage 14 in the valve 9 is to let atmospheric pressure into the upper portion of the iioat chamber 6 at all times, except when the valve 13 closes the vent 15 and renders it a closed system.y

With this passage 14C, the pressure in the boiler works against atmospheric pressure to raise the water in the float chamber 6, when the valve 9 is closed, and when the valves 9 and 13 are both open, the pressure in the boiler and the pressure in the said float chamber 6 are nearly equalized, so that the water in said chamber 6 drops back to substantially the level of the water in the boiler.

When the valve 13 closes the vent 15, due to relatively high steam pressure, the vent 18 will be opened, and the pressure in the float chamber 6 will then be nearly equalized with that of the boiler and radiator, but will be slightly lower, because of the loss in pressure of the steam or vapor, due to condensation in its passage through the radiator and pipes. When, however, this near equalization takes place, the column of water in chamber 6 'will slightly lower, thereby causing the valve 13 to open slightly and permit the further discharge of air through the vent 15. The valve 13 will therefore, under the conditions just noted, be repeatedly opened and closed at short intervals, and will be held closed for a considerable time only when the boiler pressure is relatively high.

This improved system, under ordinary high pressure has all of the advantages of a constantly closed vacuum return system, and has the further advantage of much greater efficiency at low pressure and, as already stated, will produce vapor circulation, even at pressure below atmospheric. The system also has the further advantage that it will work where the air line in the return connection is brought back on a line very close to the water line of the boiler, which is frequently necessary for low basements. By reference to Fig. 3, and noting the statements already made, it is evident that inthe construction illustrated, the complete air vent from the .return pipe is through the pipe 17, port 18, the upper portion of the valve casing 7, and vent 15, and, as shown, also through the vent pipe 16. Obviously, this air vent and the valves controlling the same may be modified within the scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a heating system, the combination with a. boiler, a radiator, a feed pipe be tween said boiler and radiator, and a return pipe between said radiator and boiler, of an air venting conduit tapping said return pipe at a point above the water level of said boiler and leading to the atmosphere, a float chamber, partly above and partly below the water level of said boiler and connected to said boiler at a point below the water level thereof, a iioat in said chamber, a valve actuated by said oat and operating by a partial vacuum in the system, to close said air venting conduit, and an air conduit leading from said float Chamber and arranged to be opened when the first noted air vent is closed by low altitude of water in said float chamber.

2. In a heating system, the combination with a boiler, a radiator, a feed pipe between said boiler and radiator and a return pipe between said radiator and boiler, a float Chamber partly above `and partly below the water level of said boiler and Connected to said boiler at a point below the water level thereof, a valve Casing having upper and lower valve seats, the latter being connected to said float chamber, an atmospheric air vent leading from the upper valve seat, a float in said float chamber having a projecting stem, two valves on said stem, one for engagement with said lower valve seat, and the other for engagement with said upper valve seat, an air venting Conduit leading from said lower valve seat and tapping said return pipe at a point above the water level of the boiler, and a small air passage constantly connecting the upper portion of said valve casing to the upper portion of said iioat chamber.

3. In a heating system, the combination with a boiler, a radiator, a feed pipe between said boiler and radiator and a return pipe between said radiator' and boiler, a float chamber partly above and partly below the water level of said boiler and connected to said boiler at a point below the water level thereof, a valve casing having upper and lower valve seats, the latter being connected to said float chamber, an atmospheric air vent leading from the upper valve seat, a float in said floatchamber having a projecting stem, two valves on said stem one for engagement with said lower valve seat, and the other for engagement with said upper valve seat, an air venting conduit leading from said lower valve seat and tapping said return pipe at a point above the water level of theboiler, a small air passage constantly connecting the upper portion of said valve Casing to the upper portion of said`float chamber, the said two valves being independently adjustable, one with respect to the other.

4. In a heating system, the combination with a boiler, a radiator, a feed pipe between said boiler and radiator, and a return pipe between said radiator and boiler, of a float Chamber partly above and partly below the water level of said boiler and connected to said boiler below its water level, a valve easing having interior valve seats at its upper and lower extremities, the said upper valve seat leading to the atmosphere and the said lower valve seat being connected to said float chamber and to said return pipe at a point above the water level of the boiler, a float in said float chamber provided with a projecting stem, and twovalves on said stem, one engageable with the said upper valve seat under upward movement of the float and the other engageable with said lower valve seat under downward movement of said float.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signa ture in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD MARTIN.

Witnesses F. D. MERCHANT, HARRY D. KILGORE.

copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

